Kootenay Backcountry Guides

Kootenay Backcountry Guides Kootenay Backcountry Guides the Kootenay's local backcountry and safety experts.

A place for people passionate about the backcountry and want to experience adventure along with safety. Kootenay Backcountry Guides are here to help you go further than you thought possible. We provide ski and snowboard trips to anywhere the snow flies but specialize in the backcountry of the Kootenays. We provide professional avalanche courses for those wanting to learn more about backcountry travel.

08/20/2026

We’ve been quiet around here lately, but we’ve been working hard behind the scenes building up the stoke for the coming winter.

🥁 Here’s our program for winter 2026/27 🥁

* AST 1 - Starting November 28
* AST 2 (town-based) - Starting December 17
* AST 2 (lodge-based) - January 14–18 (4 spots left!) and February 18–22 (women only, 7 spots left!)
* Mountain Rescue (in partnership with Mountain Med Consulting) - Two 40-hour Wilderness First Aid courses, in November and December
* Crevasse Rescue Courses - December and January
* Wapta Traverse - April 2027 - The classic Rockies hut-to-hut traverse (3 spots left)
* Bow to Yoho Traverse - April 2027 | Another classic hut-to-hut ski traverse across the Wapta and Waputik icefields (6 spots left)
* Managing Avalanche Terrain - January 2027
* Companion Rescue Skills - January 2027
* The Peak Experience - in partnership with White Grizzly Cat Skiing
* Private Day Guiding in the Koots - Kootenay Pass, Whitewater, and many other options available
* Custom (Basecamp) Trips - You dream it, we plan it!

Check out our website for more info and to book your trip! And start the snow dance NOW. ❄️

When you’re kilometres from the trailhead, preparation matters.Thank you, Abel, James, and Vince, for another great week...
03/04/2026

When you’re kilometres from the trailhead, preparation matters.

Thank you, Abel, James, and Vince, for another great weekend of learning in the mountains with .

Our comprehensive 40-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid course dives deep into essential backcountry rescue techniques and real-world emergency response.

This course goes beyond traditional first aid, focusing on the critical challenges you may face in a true backcountry emergency, including what happens after the incident.

Through year-round skills and practical scenarios, you’ll be prepared for any emergency, in any season.

This was our last course of the season in Nelson, but we’ll be back next year!

What’s your go-to item that you always carry in your backpack in case of an emergency?

Some words from our instructor, Bruce Gardave, CAA Professional Member.“This past weekend during our AST 1 course, we go...
02/04/2026

Some words from our instructor, Bruce Gardave, CAA Professional Member.

“This past weekend during our AST 1 course, we got to experience some great snow science. Sometimes when we dig, the results can be inconclusive, but this weekend—with our melt-freeze crust and surface hoar problem—we got a front-row show of how an ECT test can reveal how real this problem is. With just three light taps on the column, we saw it fracture across the entire 90 cm column. This is a stark example of why you would want to play it safe this weekend. This is exactly what we did: played it safe, gained some great learning, and, just for good measure, got a few sweet turns.

From Avalanche Canada:

“We are uncertain how the buried persistent weak layer will react to the forecasted warming. In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defence.”

Play it safe out there 🫡

Got a text message from Tammy on Monday morning “fantastic weekend with the ladies!!!”More of this? - Join our womxn spe...
01/28/2026

Got a text message from Tammy on Monday morning “fantastic weekend with the ladies!!!”

More of this?
- Join our womxn specific AST 2 in February
- Follow for future scholarships and join their mentorship programs

We went exploring the Goat Range as a test run for our new (cat-assisted) touring program. It felt like the beginning of...
01/20/2026

We went exploring the Goat Range as a test run for our new (cat-assisted) touring program. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter for KBG and White Grizzly. Nestled deep in the mountains, this experience is based out of the Wild Bear Lodge (3 days / 3 nights), with mechanized access provided by White Grizzly Cat Skiing.

We came back with souls and stomachs full. The incredible terrain pairs perfectly with the soulful lodge experience.

Check out our website to learn more — we have limited seats available this season.

Four trips. Six guests max. Two guides. Endless memories.

Photos and drone footage by the talented

Address

610 Mill Street
Nelson, BC
V1L4S4

Telephone

+12503547233

Website

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